# Food and Baked Goods Policy

Palmstreet allows the sale of select **shelf-stable packaged food items**, including baked goods, as long as sellers strictly comply with **all applicable food laws**, **safety requirements**, and **Palmstreet policies**.

This policy applies to listings, messages, livestreams, packaging, shipping, and fulfillment on Palmstreet.

Palmstreet reserves the right to update, remove, or restrict food categories at any time for safety or compliance reasons.

## **Prohibited Items**

The following **may NOT be sold or shipped** on Palmstreet:

#### **High-risk or perishable foods**

* Any food requiring refrigeration or temperature control
* Dairy-based fillings or toppings (whipped cream, custard, cream cheese, mousse, etc.)
* Cheesecake, cream pies, tiramisu
* Foods containing raw milk
* Raw meat, fish, seafood, sushi
* Foods with meat or poultry components
* Homemade canned goods
* Mushrooms

#### **Unsafe or illegal items**

* Expired or recalled food products
* Alcohol
* Products containing THC or illegal substances
* Any food that is contaminated, spoiled, unsafe, or improperly packaged

#### **Regulatory violations**

* Any food item that **violates federal, state, or local food laws**
* Any item shipped outside the seller’s permitted jurisdiction under cottage-food rules

Palmstreet may remove items or suspend sellers who violate these restrictions.

## **Permitted Items (If Fully Compliant)**

Sellers may list **non-perishable, shelf-stable** food items that meet all safety and legal requirements:

#### **Allowed Examples**

* Cookies, brownies (no dairy fillings), bars
* Breads, rolls
* Shelf-stable pastries
* Candy, fudge, brittle, confections
* Packaged snacks not requiring refrigeration
* Commercially packaged goods from licensed facilities
* Cottage-food baked goods **within allowed shipping jurisdictions**

All allowed food must be:

* Fully baked or prepared
* Packaged before the livestream
* Sealed and tamper-evident
* Labeled with all required information
* Able to withstand **1–3 day shipping** without refrigeration

## **Seller Legal Responsibilities**

Palmstreet **does not verify** seller compliance with food laws.

Sellers are **solely and fully responsible** for:

#### **A. Following all federal, state, and local regulations**, including:

* Cottage Food Laws (including geographic shipping limits)
* FDA and state labeling requirements
* Local permits or licensing requirements
* Commercial kitchen requirements (if applicable)
* All packaging, allergen, and food-safety rules
* Carrier rules (USPS, UPS, FedEx)

#### **B. Shipping only where legally permitted**

Depending on their state, sellers may:

* **Not be allowed to ship at all**
* Be allowed to ship **within their state only**
* Be allowed to ship **nationwide** (typically commercial kitchens only)

Palmstreet does not determine or validate shipping legality — sellers must know and follow their own laws.

#### **C. Ensuring food safety**

Sellers must ensure that all items:

* Are safe for transport
* Do not spoil during shipping
* Are not mislabeled or misleading
* Are not hazardous to consumers

## **Labeling Requirements**

Each item must include a **legally compliant label**, including:

* Product name
* Full ingredient list (in descending order)
* Allergen disclosures (e.g., “Contains: wheat, nuts, eggs, dairy, soy”)
* Net weight or quantity
* Business name and physical address (required by most states)
* “Made in a home kitchen” disclaimer if required
* Storage instructions (if applicable)
* “Best by” or expiration date

Items without proper labeling may be removed.

## **Packaging Requirements**

All food items must be:

* Fully packaged **before** the livestream
* Sealed in **tamper-evident** packaging
* Labeled according to requirements
* Packaged to prevent:
  * Crushing
  * Melting
  * Spoilage
  * Contamination
* Shipped using 1–3 day methods unless state law dictates otherwise

Sellers must replace or refund items damaged or spoiled in transit.

## **Shipping Requirements**

Sellers must:

* Ship only **shelf-stable goods**
* Ship 15 days before expiration or best-by dates
* Follow all carrier and legal shipping rules
* Avoid shipping perishable items
* Not misrepresent shipping capabilities or timelines

Failure to follow shipping rules may result in removal from the category.

## **Livestream Requirements**

During livestreams, sellers **must follow food safety and platform rules**.

#### Sellers **must NOT**:

* Make medical, nutritional, or health claims (e.g., “reduces inflammation,” “helps with diabetes”)
* Display unsafe handling (touching food with bare hands, open food preparation, etc.)
* Show preparation of food unless legally certified to do so
* Misrepresent ingredients, allergens, licensing, or compliance
* Direct sales **off-platform**
* Claim FDA approval unless documented
* Encourage unsafe food consumption or practices

#### Sellers **must**:

* Show only packaged goods
* Describe ingredients accurately
* State whether items were made in a cottage kitchen or licensed facility
* Show packaging exactly as shipped

Palmstreet may intervene, remove streams, or suspend sellers who violate these rules.

## **Enforcement & Compliance**

Palmstreet may, at its sole discretion:

* Request documentation or proof of compliance
* Remove listings
* Pause or ban livestreams
* Suspend or delete seller accounts
* Ban categories or items deemed unsafe

Palmstreet may take action with or without prior notice.

## **Policy Acceptance**

By listing, selling, or livestreaming food products on Palmstreet, sellers acknowledge that they:

* Have read and agree to this entire policy
* Accept full legal responsibility for all food items they sell
* Understand that violations may result in suspension or removal from the platform


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